Johannesburg - Supporters of President Jacob Zuma at the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting ensured that the embattled president survived another day,City Pressreported on Sunday.The president's backers fought against those detractors who wereexpected to lead calls for Zuma's censure and possible recall, according to the report.The meeting came amid last week'srevelationsover the influence of the Gupta family on the government.Former chairperson of Parliament’s portfolio committee on publicenterprises, Vytjie Mentor, revealed that the Gupta familyofferedher the positionof minister of public enterprises, on certain conditions. She also alleged that Zuma was in the next room atthe Gupta's Johannesburg home when the offer was made.Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas then confirmed that the Guptas offered him the position of finance minister before Nhlanhla Nene was removed last December.The disclosures led to widespread controversy and calls for Zuma's head. However, Zuma supporters apparently plotted through the night on Thursday to defend the president at all costs, including"hanging out the dirty laundry of those gunning for the president", City Press reported.The campaign against Zuma appeared to lose steam and he received a standing ovation at the start of the NEC meeting inPretoria on Friday.An ANC source told City Press that it was important for theparty to project unity amid the divisive media coverage over the last week.The Zuma supporters also successfully fought against an attempt to have his relationship with the Gupta family placed onthe NEC agenda, and instead the issue of "state capture" was discussed.Meanwhile, the NEC meeting is set to resume on Sunday, as ahandful of ANC Youth League members protest outside the meeting venue,Eyewitness Newsreported.The upcoming local government elections and state of the economy are expected to be discussed on at the behind-closed-doors meeting.A media conference could be held on Sunday night to discuss the outcome of the meeting, EWN reported.
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